93 Final programme

Amazingly at this point in the season Hibs were still top of the league after 13 rounds of matches. Rangers were fourth behind Aberdeen and Motherwell, albeit by only two points, and Celtic were sixth behind Kilmarnock by another two points. Only six points however (in the days of two points for a win) separated Hibs from Raith in eleventh place.

But this being a cup final in Glasgow there was no danger of Hibs going into the game as anything other than underdogs. In their only meeting previously in the season Rangers had won 2-1 at Ibrox, and so it ended here too. Although it was goalless at half-time and Dave McPherson’s own goal temporarily evened things up after Durrant’s opener, Hibs never really looked to me like serious challengers. Alex Miller’s assertion that there was only one team in it at 1-1 was charitable, and there was a sense of inevitability about McCoist’s entry into the fray. The Scotsman report below has little to say about Hibs, and it’s not just Glasgow sycophancy.

The souvenir programme for this sponsorless final contained the usual round of player interviews and historical articles on both clubs’ previous exploits. Below are a few of the highlights, the article on Jimmy O’Rourke complementing the pieces on Hibs 1972 cup triumph in the 1991 final programme.

Jim Leighton demonstrates why he’s got all that boxer’s grease over his eyebrows.

Crunchie McAllister gives the Giraffe the runaround.

Hibs' route to the final

Action from the semi-final against Dundee United.

The Evening News published this souvenir edition before the game, printed on fetching pale green paper.

Sorry about giving over space to a picture of this man, but it’s almost justified to demonstrate his taste in Butlin’s blazers and comedy ties prior to his post- playing TV makeover.

Gordon Hunter heads for goal with Ian Durrant following up